Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 77 (4): 617-625, 2004
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Activity budget patterns in family-group and solitary territorial male guanacos
We observed behavioral patterns of territorial male guanacos (Lama
guanicoe) in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. Both solo territorial males and family-group territorial males were observed to
compare the activity time budgets of males (n = 23) in different social groups and habitats. We found no difference in the activity time
budgets of males based on social group type, total number of females or all guanacos present, or age of territorial males. Males, in all
categories, spent most of their time foraging (65 % of overall time budget). There was a significant difference in time spent in
aggressive and in miscellaneous (defecation, alertness to observer, scratching) activities based on habitat type; most aggressive
encounters and miscellaneous activity occurred on hilltops of areas dominated by mata barrosa shrubs (Mulinum
spinosum). It is likely that territorial male guanaco behaviors are related to the resources defended rather than to any direct
ability to attract potential mates.
Key words:
guanaco, activity
budget, territorial behavior, resource-defense
